Boiled Peanuts

In the photo, my friends, is a mess of boiled peanuts. If you grew up in the Carolinas or Georgia, you probably have a taste for these soft wet goodies. And if you’ve never eaten a boiled peanut, just don’t scoff till you’ve tried it. (Then you’ll likely scoff, but a few northern-born brave souls actually acquire a taste them.)

Boiled peanuts are just what they sound like: raw peanuts that have been boiled in salt water. Boiled and boiled and boiled; at home it takes at least three hours, and for some reason they stink up the house something terrible. So your best bet is to stop at a roadside stand somewhere in the Carolinas and buy a bag fresh out of a huge boiling pot. You can eat them hot or cold.

What boiled peanuts don’t taste like is any kind of nut. They’re more like a firm black-eyed pea in taste and texture. I like to keep a bag in the refrigerator and eat them cold for breakfast or a late afternoon snack.

How to Eat a Boiled Peanut: First, you shell it, just like any other peanut. But because they’ve been cooked in water, you might get a little gush of brine, so it’s best not to eat them in the car. You just peel and eat, no sauces or condiments needed.

Now if you get a boiled peanut and it feels slimy, that would be your BAD boiled peanut. It’s probably safe to eat, but slimy usually means it’s not fresh.

Boiled peanuts are mostly a summer treat, when the peanuts are fresh from the fields. But if you need a fix (or just really really want to try something new), you can order yourself a bucket from the fabulous Lee Bros. in Charleston. They’ve got a whole catalog of boiled peanuts and other Southern comfort foods, and they’ve written a mighty fine cookbook as well.

2 Comments

Hmmm, I guess it is the revolting appearance that keeps people away. Funny that “revolting” seems to be defined by what we didn’t eat in childhood. If mom ate it, and we ate before we were five, we probably like it.